ESC_2021_12_09 PACKETENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, December 9, 2021 – 5:30 P.M.
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING
AGENDA
Please be advised that all of the Environmental Sustainability Committee members will be remotely attending this
meeting by electronic means, in compliance with the recent amendments to the Open Meetings Act. The
Chairman of the Committee has determined that it is not prudent or practical to conduct an in-person meeting
due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that it is not feasible to have the Committee members or members of the
public physically present at the meeting due to the pandemic disaster.
The City will be providing members of the public with various opportunities to watch or attend this meeting, as
well as provide public comment at the meeting. For example, members of the public can participate remotely in
the meeting by following the public audience link below which will provide both video and audio means to attend
the meeting.
Public audience link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87296610303?pwd=Z0NJeUFKN1lKbHFaKzlQdkVKNmFnQT09
Or dial by phone at: 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 872 9661 0303
Passcode: 1861
I.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
II.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:05 – :15 per item)
a.REVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
–Layla Werner, Management Analyst
b.UPDATE ON GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR LAKE FRONT AT FOREST PARK BEACH – Mike
Strong, Assistant City Manager
III.ACTION ITEMS (:10 - :15 per item)
a.APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 20, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
b.APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR FOR 2022
IV.DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item)
a.DISCUSSION ON NEW SOLAR GENERATION FACILITIES ON CITY FACILITIES – Mike
Strong, Assistant City Manager
b.DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – Mike Strong, Assistant
City Manager
V.PUBLIC COMMENT
VI.NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
VII.ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS
UPCOMING #SUSTAINABILITYSUNDAY POSTS
December
•Dec. 12: Energy
Conservation in the
Winter
•Dec. 19: Icing tactics to
avoid using salt
•Dec. 26: Holiday Tree
Pick-up/Recycling
January
•Jan. 2: New Years’
resolution to go green!
•Jan. 9: Plastic bag
recycling at the
Compost Center
•Jan. 16: Winter tree
pruning
•Jan. 23: Vehicle Idling
Reminders
•Jan. 30: Sharing
Content from Bart the
Cart
PREVIOUS #SUSTAINABILITYSUNDAY POSTS
Hold for oak tree post
Post scheduled for 10/17
ACTION ITEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – 5:00 P.M. 2
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING 3
4
ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 5
6
Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Aldermen 7
Jim Preschlack and Eileen Weber were present. 8
9
Staff in attendance included Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager; Cathy 10
Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Michael Thomas, Director of 11
Public Works; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry; Jim Lockefeer, 12
Assistant to the Director of Public Works; and Layla Werner, Management Analyst 13
14
There were approximately 6 members of the public that attended the meeting 15
remotely. 16
17
Chairman Rummel made the following statement as required by the Open 18
Meetings Act. In accordance with state statute, Chairman Rummel has made a 19
determination that it was not practical or prudent to schedule an in-person 20
Committee meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this 21
October 20, 2021, Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting is being held 22
remotely. 23
24
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 25
26
I. UPDATE ON LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE BUCKTHORN CAMPAIGN – 27
Brandon Hayes, Bold Bison Communications & Consulting 28
29
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong introduced Brandon Hayes, Bold Bison 30
Communications & Consulting to provide an overview of the Lake County 31
Forest Preserve buckthorn campaign currently in process. Mr. Hayes 32
presented background including details of the campaign, specifically 33
targeting the Middlefork area. Additionally, he provided information 34
regarding the County’s work with home and landowners, outside of the 35
focus of the campaign, however, Mr. Hayes emphasized what they are 36
currently working to accomplish with the campaign. 37
38
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments from the 39
Committee. 40
41
The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding the timeline of the 42
campaign, and the target areas. 43
44
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 45
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 46
47
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
49
II. RECAP OF SUMMER CURBSIDE RECYCLING AUDITS – Dan Martin, 50
Superintendent of Public Works 51
52
Superintendent of Public Works, Dan Martin provided an update to the 53
Committee regarding the summer recycling audit that was conducted by 54
two internship positions. Mr. Martin provided further details regarding the 55
platforms used to notify residents of the ongoing audit, and the 56
educational tools used in various pop-up locations and summer camps. 57
Additionally, he displayed data stating 1,300 audits were completed with 58
an 18% contamination rate. Although initial goals were not met, Mr. Martin 59
explained the increase of single use items during COVID-19 and how that 60
has impacted the audits. 61
62
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments from the 63
Committee. 64
65
The Committee thanked Mr. Martin for his detailed presentation and 66
tactics to encourage residents to change recycling habits. 67
68
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 69
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 70
71
Judy Kernahan provided comments to the Committee regarding the 72
previous agenda item. 73
74
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 75
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 76
77
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 78
79
ACTION ITEMS 80
81
I. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 18, 2021 MEETING MINUTES 82
Alderman Weber moved to approve the August 18, 2021, Environmental 83
Sustainability Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Preschlack 84
seconded the motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel, 85
Aldermen Preschlack and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 3-86
Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. 87
88
II. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO CITY COUNCIL 89
SUSTAINABILITY ENHANCEMENTS TO CIP PROJECTS FOR FY2023 – 90
Introduced by Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager 91
92
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a brief background 93
regarding the City’s capital project funding process, noting the similarities 94
from previous City Council capital budget workshops. He further 95
explained the process staff conducted to identify projects that could 96
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
include sustainable elements, and the change in cost that would be 97
impacted. 98
99
The projects that were discussed included the purchase of a hybrid 100
vehicle for the Fire Department and Ravine design updates. 101
102
The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding the enhancements in 103
the Seminary Ravine design project. 104
105
Additional projects that were discussed were parking lot improvements, 106
including water quality structures being placed in new or updated 107
parking lots, and the addition of a new electric vehicle charging station. 108
109
The Committee asked for further information and data regarding the 110
usage of electric vehicle charging stations. 111
112
There were further presentations regarding projects include, Forest Park 113
bluff stabilization, native planting at Forest Park beach and Waveland 114
Park resurfacing. 115
116
Following further discussion, Mr. Strong provided potential next steps for 117
the Committee to move forward with a recommendation to City Council 118
119
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or comments from 120
the public. 121
122
Yuh Schabacker-Koppel offered comments to the Committee 123
124
Chairman Rummel asked the Committee if there were any addition 125
questions 126
127
Seeing none, she asked for a motion. 128
129
Alderman Preschlack made a motion to recommend sustainability 130
enhancements to CIP projects for FY2023, Alderman Weber seconded the 131
motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel, Aldermen 132
Preschlack and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 3-Ayes, 0 Nays, 133
motion carried. 134
135
DISCUSSION ITEMS 136
137
I. UPDATES ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – Mike Strong, 138
Assistant City Manager 139
140
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong updated the Committee regarding 141
reestablishing the communications and marketing plan. He provided a 142
potential outline for a schedule the last quarter of 2021. In addition to the 143
social media communications campaign, Mr. Strong discussed new 144
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
signage that would be designed to place near sustainable projects, 145
explaining the background and benefits, and the investigation of solar 146
panels to supply electricity to City accounts. 147
148
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 149
comments from the Committee. 150
151
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 152
153
PUBLIC COMMENT 154
155
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-156
agenda items. 157
158
Wiebke Droege provided comments to the Committee regarding the proposed 159
athletic field improvements at Deerpath Community Park. 160
161
Yuh Schabacker-Koppel provided comments to the Committee regarding the 162
proposed athletic field improvements at Deerpath Community Park. 163
164
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional public comments. Seeing 165
none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 166
167
NEXT MEETING DATE(S) 168
169
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong stated that the next meeting would be held 170
on November 17, 2021, if that meeting date worked for the Committee. They 171
discussed potentially shifting the date if necessary. 172
173
ADJOURNMENT 174
175
Alderman Weber moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 176
Sustainability Committee at 6:46 P.M. seconded by Preschlack. The motion 177
carried unanimously by voice vote. 178
179
Respectfully Submitted, 180
181
Layla Werner 182
Management Analyst 183
184
Reviewed by, 185
186
Mike Strong 187
Assistant City Manager 188
Environmental Sustainability Committee
2022 Meeting Schedule
Wednesday January 19 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday February 16 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday March 16 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday April 20 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday May 18 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday June 15 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday July 20 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday August 17 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday September 14 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday October 19 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday November 16 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday December 14 5:30 p.m. TBD
Wednesday January 18, 2023 5:30 p.m. TBD
*Meeting locations TBD for 2022 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
DISCUSSION
ITEMS
NEW SOLAR GENERATION
FACILITIES DISCUSSION
Environmental Sustainability Committee
December 9, 2021
PROCESS OVERVIEW
Analyze
Economic
Feasibility
Solicitation
Process Site Selection
Determination
Regarding
Franchise
Accounts
Contract
Approvals
SOLAR DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS BEING
EXPLORED
Direct Purchase
-On-site solar solely benefits
owner
-Autonomy over location,
size, etc.
-Significant capital outlay
-Responsible for all
procurement, construction
and O&M (can contract)
-Tax credits not monetized
Solar Lease
Agreement
-No Capital outlay
-Simple transaction to lease
over a fixed term
-Offers immediate energy
cost savings through avoided
costs and SREC credits
-Must assure energy
production service guarantee
is part of lease agreement
-Responsible for O&M of solar
array (can contract)
Power Purchase
Agreement (PPA)
-No Capital outlay
-Payments for energy go to
the developer, not utility
-Developer responsible for
design, permitting,
construction & O&M
-Arrangements can be
complex
-High transaction costs, legal
complexities
-Utility rates must be high for
positive cash-flow
Be
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Li
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SOLAR ARRAY OPPORTUNITIES
Recommended Sites:
1.Municipal Services (800 N. Field Drive)
2.Recreation Center (400 Hastings)
3.Public Safety Building (255 Deerpath)
4.Water Plant (1441 Lake Road)
•Roughly 44 electricity accounts analyzed
•7 sites found to be economically viable
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Avg. Annual Consumption: 1,214 MWh/Year
Current Avg. Annual Cost: $83.05/MWh
Annualized Value of Energy Consumption:
$100,821
Projected Solar Generation: 1,132 MWh/Year
Solar Offset Potential: 93.3%
Financial Impacts (20 year period) of non-purchase
Mechanism $/MWh
Annualized
Savings
Lease $20.15 $76,358
PPA $49.32 $40,949
Capital Cost of Array: $1,391,382
RECREATION CENTER
Avg. Annual Consumption: 628 MWh/Year
Current Avg. Annual Cost: $131.61/MWh
Annualized Value of Energy Consumption: $82,713
Projected Solar Generation: 434 MWh/Year
Solar Offset Potential: 69.1%
Financial Impacts (20 year period) of non-purchase
Mechanism Avg. $/MWh
Annualized
Savings
Lease $30.91 $63,285
PPA $81.28 $31,632
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Avg. Annual Consumption: 772 MWh
Current Avg. Annual Cost: $85.86/MWh
Annualized Value of Energy Consumption:
$66,257
Projected Solar Generation: 283 MWh/Year
Solar Offset Potential: 36.7%
Financial Impacts (20 year period) of non-purchase
Mechanism Avg. $/MWh
Annualized
Savings
Lease $63.69 $17,102
PPA $73.71 $9,374
WATER TREATMENT FACILITY –GROUND MOUNT
Avg. Annual Consumption: 3,157 MWh
Current Avg. Annual Cost: $81.99/MWh
Annualized Value of Energy Consumption:
$258,830
Projected Solar Generation: 475 MWh
Solar Offset Potential: 13.1%
Financial Impacts (20 year period) of non-purchase
Mechanism Avg. $/MWh
Annualized
Savings
Lease $69.92 $38,116
PPA $81.99 $16,719
WATER TREATMENT FACILITY –ROOFTOP
Avg. Annual Consumption: 3,157 MWh
Current Avg. Annual Cost: $81.99/MWh
Annualized Value of Energy Consumption:
$258,830
Projected Solar Generation: 151 MWh
Solar Offset Potential: 4.6%
Financial Impacts (20 year period) of non-purchase
Mechanism Avg. $/MWh
Annualized
Savings
Lease $79.21 $8,769
PPA $80.31 $5,307
AVERAGE ANNUALIZED SAVINGS POTENTIAL
Lease PPA
Municipal Services $76,358 $40,949
Recreation Center $63,285 $31,632
Public Safety Building $17,102 $9,374
Water Plant –Ground $38,116 $16,719
Water Plant –Rooftop $8,769 $5,307
Total $203,630 $103,981
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.Is the Committee comfortable with the City
facilities identified?
2.Is there consensus on the proposed Solar
Development procurement options (e.g.
Purchase, Lease, PPA)?
DIRECTION REQUESTED
Staff is seeking direction from the Committee to proceed with a
formal solicitation process (RFP) pursuant to Committee
discussion during the Committee meeting on December 9, 2021
The solicitation process would take place between December
2021 –January 2022, that would include site visits and interviews
prior to a recommendation to the Committee in March 2022
(Tent.)
THANK YOU
City of Lake Forest Sustainability Survey Summary Results
Ascending List of Projects Based on Weighted Average (City Council)
Council v. Staff
Project/Initiative City Council City Staff Positive Neut./Neg.Score Diff.Status
Continue to educate Lake Forest residents on recycling practices to reduce the City’s recycling contamination rate (i.e. Rethink
Recycling Campaign)1.22 1.22 9 0 0 In Process
Communications and education campaign to make best practices in water conservation, outdoor irrigation and water reuse easily
understandable to residents 1.33 1.67 9 0 -0.34
Seek ways to further educate riparian (ravine) owners regarding ravine and bluff maintenance 1.44 1.22 8 1 0.22 In Process
Increase access to open spaces through walking/bike trail connections throughout the City 1.56 1.67 8 1 -0.11
Develop strategies to further reduce the City’s use and collection of single-use plastics 1.67 1.78 8 1 -0.11
Develop programs to further reduce the City’s use and collection of Styrofoam and polystyrene products 1.67 1.89 8 1 -0.22
Identify special events, such as a bike festival and community bike ride, to showcase the City’s natural assets 1.78 2.11 8 1 -0.33
Investigate ways to promote the use of permeable pavers, rain gardens or other “green infrastructure” implements such as bioswales
and wetlands to reduce stormwater entering sewers 1.89 1.89 6 3 0
Enroll municipal utility accounts in solar or renewable energy certificates (RECs)1.89 2.11 7 2 -0.22
Explore incentives to encourage the use of electric-powered landscape equipment, especially among the City’s licensed landscaping
firms 2.00 2.22 5 4 -0.22
Discourage vehicle idling on City properties through communications, marketing, and signage campaign 2.00 2.44 6 3 -0.44
Encourage and expand rain barrel usage among residents 2.11 2.33 5 4 -0.22
Provide residents greater access to renewable energy credits (RECs) or renewable energy alternatives through bulk energy purchases
by the City 2.11 1.78 6 3 0.33
Install solar facilities on municipal facilities 2.11 2.44 6 3 -0.33 In Process
Accelerate the conversion of City Fleet to gasoline-alternative fuel vehicles 2.11 2.67 6 3 -0.56
Discourage (and possibly license or ban) the use of Coal tar based sealants, which contribute to elevated levels of carcinogens found
in local waterways 2.22 2.44 6 3 -0.22
Promote the installation and use of full-cutoff light fixtures that cast little or no light upward in public areas that are adjacent to
environmentally sensitive open spaces (e.g. bluffs, parks, habitat areas, etc.)2.33 2.22 4 5 0.11
Provide greater access to Composting programs or services for residents and businesses by permitting private companies to provide
curb-side composting material pick-up 2.33 2.22 6 3 0.11
Measure and monitor Lake Forest’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to global warming 2.33 2.67 5 4 -0.34 In Process
Create a Climate & Resilience plan to quantify associated risks and opportunities 2.33 2.44 6 3 -0.11
Expand access to local health foods by seeking partnerships to implement a community gardening program or initiative 2.44 2.56 5 4 -0.12
Discourage (potentially ban or assess fees) the use of single-use plastics (e.g. grocery bags, takeout containers), Styrofoam, and/or
polystyrene containers in the City 2.44 2.78 5 4 -0.34
Encourage (and possibly require) periodic inspection of riparian (ravine) property to detect ecological or infrastructure threats to bluff
and slope integrity 2.44 2 6 3 0.44 In Process
Offer rebates and incentives for residential and business solar opportunities 2.44 2.56 5 4 -0.12
Develop air quality standards and a plan to support the achievement of a greenhouse gas emission reduction target 2.44 2.89 5 4 -0.45
Encourage, incentivize or require EV Charging Stations for new construction of residential and/or commercial properties 2.56 2.67 5 4 -0.11
Seek opportunities to convert existing greenspaces (mowed lawn areas owned by the City) or incentivize residential and commercial
owners to expand natural land areas and habitats on their property 2.67 2.33 4 5 0.34
Utilize sustainable landscaping practices such as natural fertilizers and weed control products while monitoring and controlling for
invasive species in the City’s natural areas 2.67 2.33 4 5 0.34
Investigate alternatives to fund stormwater infrastructure improvements (i.e. potential stormwater utility fee)2.78 2.67 5 4 0.11
Explore incentive program for promoting the use of gasoline-alternative fuel electric (e.g. vehicle sticker cost reduction)2.89 2.89 3 6 0
Discourage (potentially ban) the use of gas-powered leaf blowers during the summer season from May to mid-October 2.89 3.33 5 4 -0.44
Require solar for new construction or major renovations of residential and/or commercial properties 3.78 4.00 0 9 -0.22
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City Council SentimentWeighted Average Score